DLLR News

BALTIMORE, MD (July 21, 2011) – Weather services are advising extreme and dangerous heat for most of
the state today and Friday. Temperatures will reach 100 degrees in parts of the state, and heat indices
could top 115 degrees.

Extreme heat poses health hazards for people who work outdoors. Indoor employees, especially those who
work in bakeries, pizza shops, laundry facilities and kitchens, are also at risk of heat stress. The
Department of Labor's (DLLR) Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) unit is advising employers
to take appropriate precautions against heat stress and be knowledgeable about the signs of
heat-associated illnesses.

“The only thing more important to Marylanders than a job that provides for their families is the
comfort that their loved ones are safe at work. As temperatures rise, employers and employees – especially
those working outdoors – must understand the warning signs of heat stress,” said Maryland Labor Secretary
Alexander M. Sanchez. “The key ingredients for safe work in extreme heat are water, rest and shade.”

“Employers should ensure that workers are acclimatized to the level of heat in which they will be
working, which may take several weeks of gradual exposure to the environmental heat and work levels
associated with the job,” said Ron DeJuliis, DLLR’s Commissioner of Labor and Industry. “Also, workers
should be trained in the effects of heat and be able to recognize heat stress symptoms in themselves and
fellow workers.”

While high temperatures are certainly a key signal to the hazards of heat-associated illnesses, other
factors contribute equally to the body's response to the effects of a hot work area. These include the
level of work being performed, radiant heat sources (e.g., boilers, ovens, sunlight), humidity, air
velocity and clothing. An individual's response to heat is also affected by age, weight, fitness,
medical condition and acclimatization to the heat.

As the body continues to store heat, an individual may begin to lose concentration and the ability to
focus on a task. A worker may become irritable or sick and often lose the desire to drink. Eventually,
the body may lose its ability to sweat and the internal core temperature will continue to rise. This
can result in heat stroke, a medical emergency that may result in death if not addressed immediately.

The Maryland Department of Labor recommends these actions to prevent heat stress and heat stroke:

Drink cool fluids. It is recommended that a worker consume about a cup of cool water (or acceptable
fluid replacement drink) every 20 minutes. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

Allow and take frequent breaks, preferably in cooler, shaded areas.

Employers should acclimatize workers to the level of heat in which they will be working. The process
may take several weeks of gradual exposure.

Encourage workers to follow a healthy lifestyle, with adequate diet and electrolyte balance.

The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation protects and
empowers Marylanders by safeguarding workers, protecting
consumers, providing a safety net and cultivating a thriving
workforce that can meet the demands of Maryland’s dynamic
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